Method and apparatus for reducing call setup delay by improved sib7 and sib14 scheduling

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for reducing call setup time of a wireless communication device including determining empty slots on a Common Control Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled therein and scheduling SIB7 or SIB 14 blocks in the empty slots to reduce call setup time. In one aspect, the uplink interference level contained in the SIB7 or SIB14 block is piggy-backed on SIB blocks other than SIB7 or SIB14 blocks.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

The present Application for Patent claims priority to ProvisionalApplication No. 60/887,589 entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCINGMOBILE TERMINATED CALL SETUP DELAY BY IMPROVED SIB7 SCHEDULING” filedJan. 31, 2007, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR PATENT

The present Application for Patent is related to the followingco-pending U.S. Patent Applications:

“Method and Apparatus For Reducing Call Setup Delay by IncludingInterference Information In Paging Message” Amer Catovic, AlvinSiu-Chung Ng, Mohit Narang and Chan Chun Chung Patrick having AttorneyDocket No. 070597, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assigneehereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein; and

“Method and Apparatus For Reducing Call Setup Delay by Adjusting SIB7and SIB14 Scheduling Frequency” by Chan Chun Chung Patrick, AmerCatovic, Mohit Narang and Alvin Siu-Chung Ng having Attorney Docket No.070639, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof,and expressly incorporated by reference herein

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for reducingcall setup time. More particularly, the disclosure relates to reducingcall setup time by improved SIB7 scheduling.

BACKGROUND

Mobile terminated (MT) call setup time is a key performance indicator inwireless networks. It has a direct effect on the user's experienceregardless of any service offered by the network. Mobile terminated callsetup time has a substantial impact on the overall revenue generated bythe network as well as the churn rate. In cellular wireless networks,when the user equipment (UE) is idle, it wakes up at regular timeintervals in order to check paging and read system information broadcastby the network. Current formats of wireless communication systemsinclude the third generation (3G) systems which provide greater capacityand more broadband wireless capabilities than the previous 2G systems.The 3G systems include a Common Control Channel that broadcast systeminformation from the wireless network to the UEs. One emerging 3G systemis Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS). In UMTS, thereare several Common Control Channels. For example, there are differentinformation blocks on the Primary Common Control Physical Channel(P-CCPCH) in UMTS, categorized into Master Information Blocks (MJBs) andSystem Information Blocks (SIBs).

For example, each SIB carries a particular type of network information,such as but not limited to, Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) info, DRXcycle coefficient (SIB1), thresholds for cell reselection (SIB3),current uplink interference level (SIB7), paging frequency, timers, etc.The broadcast scheduling of these system information blocks is containedin the master information block (MIB) which is broadcasted in regular,pre-determined time intervals. MIB contains the exact repetition count,number of segments and system frame number for each of the SIBsbroadcasted. One of the SIBs is SIB7 which carries the up-to-date uplinkinterference level perceived by the base station receiver. Each UE needsto read SIB7 of the camping cell before establishing a connection withthe network. The SIB7 information contains the uplink interference levelwhich is used in the open loop power control calculation to determinethe appropriate transmit power level for random access. Additionally,the UE decodes its paging block in order to determine if the UE is beingpaged by the network. In some instances, reading the SIB7 and beingpaged by the network can occur simultaneously or near simultaneously.

The paging block is broadcasts through the Secondary Common ControlPhysical Channel (S-CCPCH). Typically, the decoding of the paging block(on S-CCPCH) has higher priority over the decoding of SIBs (on P-CCPCH).When the UE is being paged, it cannot immediately initiate a connectionwith the network to respond to the page until the UE has received thenext occurrence of broadcasted SIB7. As a result, there is a necessarywaiting time between the receipt of the page and connection requestinitiation with the network. The waiting time can vary among differentUEs, some waiting time being longer than desirable to ensure good userexperience.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for reducing mobile terminated (MT)call setup time. By improving the SIB7 or SIB14 scheduling as disclosedherein, advantageous results may include reducing MT call setup time,reducing waiting time for the next occurrence of SIB7 or SIB14, increasecall success rate performance, and hence, ensuring better userexperience. Additionally, bandwidth efficiency is increased sincepreviously unused bandwidth on the P-CCPCH channel is being used.

According to one aspect, a method for reducing call setup time of awireless communication device comprises determining at least one emptyslot on a first Common Control Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocksare scheduled, and scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block in the atleast one empty slot to reduce call setup time.

According to another aspect, a method for reducing call setup time of awireless communication device comprises paging the wirelesscommunication device on a first Common Control Channel, determining atleast one empty slot on a second Common Control Channel where no SIBblocks or MIB blocks are scheduled following the paging, scheduling atleast one SIB7 or SIB14 block in the at least one empty slot to reducecall setup time, decoding one of the at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block toobtain an uplink interference level, and using the uplink interferencelevel in an open loop power control calculation to determine anappropriate transmit power level for the wireless communication device.

According to another aspect, a method for reducing call setup time of awireless communication device comprises paging the wirelesscommunication device on a first Common Control Channel, andpiggy-backing an uplink interference level onto a SIB block to increasethe frequency of sending the uplink interference level to the wirelesscommunication device. In one other aspect, the method further comprisesdetermining at least one empty slot on a second Common Control Channelwhere no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled, and scheduling at leastone SIB7 or SIB14 block containing the uplink interference level in theat least one empty slot to send to the wireless communication device.

According to another aspect, an apparatus comprising a processor and amemory, the memory containing program code executable by the processorfor performing the following: determining at least one empty slot on afirst Common Control Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks arescheduled, and scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block in the atleast one empty slot to reduce call setup time.

According to another aspect, an apparatus comprising a processor and amemory, the memory containing program code executable by the processorfor performing the following: paging a device on a first Common ControlChannel, and piggy-backing an uplink interference level onto a SIB blockto increase the frequency of sending the uplink interference level tothe device. In one other aspect, the memory further comprises programcode for determining at least one empty slot on a second Common ControlChannel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled, and forscheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block containing the uplinkinterference level in the at least one empty slot to send to the device.

According to another aspect, an apparatus for reducing call setup timecomprises means for determining at least one empty slot on a firstCommon Control Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled,and means for scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block in the atleast one empty slot to reduce call setup time.

According to another aspect, an apparatus for reducing call setup timecomprises means for paging a device on a first Common Control Channel,and means for piggy-backing an uplink interference level onto a SIBblock to increase the frequency of sending the uplink interference levelto the device. In one other aspect, the apparatus further comprisesmeans for determining at least one empty slot on a second Common ControlChannel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled, and means forscheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block containing the uplinkinterference level in the at least one empty slot to send to the device.

According to another aspect, a computer-readable medium includingprogram code stored thereon, comprises program code for causing acomputer to determine at least one empty slot on a first Common ControlChannel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled, and programcode for causing the computer to schedule at least one SIB7 or SIB14block in the at least one empty slot to reduce call setup time.

According to another aspect, a computer-readable medium includingprogram code stored thereon, comprises program code for causing acomputer to page a device on a first Common Control Channel, and programcode for causing the computer to piggy-back an uplink interference levelonto a SIB block to increase the frequency of sending the uplinkinterference level to the device. In one other aspect, thecomputer-readable medium further comprises program code for causing thecomputer to determine at least one empty slot on a second Common ControlChannel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled, and programcode for causing the computer to schedule at least one SIB7 or SIB14block containing the uplink interference level in the at least one emptyslot to send to the device.

According to another aspect, a computer-readable medium includingprogram code stored thereon, comprises program code for paging a deviceon a first Common Control Channel, program code for determining at leastone empty slot on a second Common Control Channel where no SIB blocks orMIB blocks are scheduled following the paging, program code forscheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block in the at least one emptyslot to reduce call setup time, program code for decoding one of the atleast one SIB7 or SIB14 block to obtain an uplink interference level,and program code for using the uplink interference level in an open looppower control calculation to determine an appropriate transmit powerlevel for the device.

It is understood that other aspects will become readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following detailed description,wherein it is shown and described various aspects by way ofillustration. The drawings and detailed description are to be regardedas illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless network.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate the timeline overlap of paging blocks andSIB broadcast blocks.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate an exemplary P-CCPCH and S-CCPCH timelinewith improved SIB7 scheduling.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary intercommunication between thewireless network and the wireless communication device.

FIG. 5 illustrates an implementation for reducing call setup time.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a set of exemplary steps executedby the implementation shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a first embodiment of a device suitable for reducingcall setup time.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a device suitable for reducingcall setup time.

FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of a device suitable for reducingcall setup time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various aspects of the presentdisclosure and is not intended to represent the only aspects in whichthe present disclosure may be practiced. Each aspect described in thisdisclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration of thepresent disclosure, and should not necessarily be construed as preferredor advantageous over other aspects. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without thesespecific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devicesare shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the conceptsof the present disclosure. Acronyms and other descriptive terminologymay be used merely for convenience and clarity and are not intended tolimit the scope of the disclosure.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies areshown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood andappreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of acts,as some acts may, in accordance with one or more aspects, occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown anddescribed herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understandand appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented asa series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram.Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement amethodology in accordance with one or more aspects.

Scheduling and the repetition time of SIB7 broadcasts are constant andset by the network. Paging occasions are also determined based on theInternational Subscriber Mobile Identity (IMSI) of the UE. As a resultof these standards, the waiting time between the receipt of a page andconnection request initiation with the network for the UE will depend onthe paging groups to which the UE belongs. For example, if the UEbelongs to the paging group that is adjacent to the next SIB7 schedulingslot, the UE will experience the smallest waiting time. In contrast, ifthe UE belongs to the paging group that overlaps between the pagingblocks and SIB7, the decoding of the paging has higher priority (byconvention), and the UE will miss the decoding of the SIBs. In such acase, the UE will experience the largest waiting time and experienceconsistently the largest MT call setup times.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless network100. One skilled in the art would understand that the exemplary wirelessnetwork 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be implemented in an FDMAenvironment, an OFDMA environment, a CDMA environment, a WCDMAenvironment, a TDMA environment, a SDMA environment or any othersuitable wireless environment.

The wireless network 100 includes an access point 200 (a.k.a. basestation) and a wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. user equipmentor UE). In the downlink leg, the access point 200 (a.k.a. base station)includes a transmit (TX) data processor A 210 that receives, formats,codes, interleaves and modulates (or symbol maps) traffic data andprovides modulation symbols (a.k.a. data symbols). The TX data processorA 210 is in communication with a symbol modulator A 220. The symbolmodulator A 220 receives and processes the data symbols and downlinkpilot symbols and provides a stream of symbols. In one aspect, symbolmodulator A 220 is in communication with processor A 280 which providesconfiguration information. Symbol modulator A 220 is in communicationwith a transmitter unit (TMTR) A 230. The symbol modulator A 220multiplexes the data symbols and downlink pilot symbols and providesthem to the transmitter unit A 230.

Each symbol to be transmitted may be a data symbol, a downlink pilotsymbol or a signal value of zero. The downlink pilot symbols may be sentcontinuously in each symbol period. In one aspect, the downlink pilotsymbols are frequency division multiplexed (FDM). In another aspect, thedownlink pilot symbols are orthogonal frequency division multiplexed(OFDM). In yet another aspect, the downlink pilot symbols are codedivision multiplexed (CDM). In one aspect, the transmitter unit A 230receives and converts the stream of symbols into one or more analogsignals and further conditions, for example, amplifies, filters and/orfrequency upconverts the analog signals, to generate an analog downlinksignal suitable for wireless transmission. The analog downlink signal isthen transmitted through antenna 240.

In the downlink leg, the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE)includes antenna 310 for receiving the analog downlink signal andinputting the analog downlink signal to a receiver unit (RCVR) B 320. Inone aspect, the receiver unit B 320 conditions, for example, filters,amplifies and frequency downconverts the analog downlink signal to a“conditioned” signal. The “conditioned” signal is then sampled. Thereceiver unit B 320 is in communication with a symbol demodulator B 330.The symbol demodulator B 330 demodulates the “conditioned” and “sampled”signal (a.k.a. data symbols) outputted from the receiver unit B 320. Thesymbol demodulator B 330 is in communication with a processor B 340.Processor B 340 receives downlink pilot symbols from symbol demodulatorB 330 and performs channel estimation on the downlink pilot symbols. Inone aspect, the channel estimation is the process of characterizing thecurrent propagation environment. The symbol demodulator B 330 receives afrequency response estimate for the downlink leg from processor B 340.The symbol demodulator B 330 performs data demodulation on the datasymbols to obtain data symbol estimates. The data symbol estimates areestimates of the data symbols that were transmitted. The symboldemodulator B 330 is also in communication with a RX data processor B350. The RX data processor B 350 receives the data symbol estimates fromthe symbol demodulator B 330 and, for example, demodulates (i.e., symboldemaps), interleaves and/or decodes the data symbol estimates to recoverthe traffic data. In one aspect, the processing by the symboldemodulator B 330 and the RX data processor B 350 is complementary tothe processing by the symbol modulator A 220 and TX data processor A210, respectively.

In the uplink leg, the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE)includes a TX data processor B 360. The TX data processor B 360 receivesand processes traffic data to output data symbols. The TX data processorB 360 is in communication with a symbol modulator D 370. The symbolmodulator D 370 receives and multiplexes the data symbols with uplinkpilot symbols, performs modulation and provides a stream of symbols. Inone aspect, symbol modulator D 370 is in communication with processor B340 which provides configuration information. The symbol modulator D 370is in communication with a transmitter unit B 380.

Each symbol to be transmitted may be a data symbol, an uplink pilotsymbol or a signal value of zero. The uplink pilot symbols may be sentcontinuously in each symbol period. In one aspect, the uplink pilotsymbols are frequency division multiplexed (FDM). In another aspect, theuplink pilot symbols are orthogonal frequency division multiplexed(OFDM). In yet another aspect, the uplink pilot symbols are codedivision multiplexed (CDM). In one aspect, the transmitter unit B 380receives and converts the stream of symbols into one or more analogsignals and further conditions, for example, amplifies, filters and/orfrequency upconverts the analog signals, to generate an analog uplinksignal suitable for wireless transmission. The analog uplink signal isthen transmitted through antenna 310.

The analog uplink signal from wireless communication device (UE) 300 isreceived by antenna 240 and processed by a receiver unit A 250 to obtainsamples. In one aspect, the receiver unit A 250 conditions, for example,filters, amplifies and frequency downconverts the analog uplink signalto a “conditioned” signal. The “conditioned” signal is then sampled. Thereceiver unit A 250 is in communication with a symbol demodulator C 260.The symbol demodulator C 260 performs data demodulation on the datasymbols to obtain data symbol estimates and then provides the uplinkpilot symbols and the data symbol estimates to the RX data processor A270. The data symbol estimates are estimates of the data symbols thatwere transmitted. The RX data processor A 270 processes the data symbolestimates to recover the traffic data transmitted by the wirelesscommunication device 300. The symbol demodulator C 260 is also incommunication with processor A 280. Processor A 280 performs channelestimation for each active terminal transmitting on the uplink leg. Inone aspect, multiple terminals may transmit pilot symbols concurrentlyon the uplink leg on their respective assigned sets of pilot subbandswhere the pilot subband sets may be interlaced.

Processor A 280 and processor B 340 direct (i.e., control, coordinate ormanage, etc.) operation at the access point 200 (a.k.a. base station)and at the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. user equipment orUE), respectively. In one aspect, either or both processor A 280 andprocessor B 340 are associated with one or more memory units (not shown)for storing of program codes and/or data. In one aspect, either or bothprocessor A 280 or processor B 340 or both perform computations toderive frequency and impulse response estimates for the uplink leg anddownlink leg, respectively.

In one aspect, the wireless network 100 is a multiple-access system. Fora multiple-access system (e.g., FDMA, OFDMA, CDMA, TDMA, etc.), multipleterminals transmit concurrently on the uplink leg. In one aspect, forthe multiple-access system, the pilot subbands may be shared amongdifferent terminals. Channel estimation techniques are used in caseswhere the pilot subbands for each terminal span the entire operatingband (possibly except for the band edges). Such a pilot subbandstructure is desirable to obtain frequency diversity for each terminal.

One skilled in the art would understand that the techniques describedherein may be implemented by various ways. For example, the techniquesmay be implemented in hardware, software or a combination thereof. Forexample, for a hardware implementation, the processing units used forchannel estimation may be implemented within one or more applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs),digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices(PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described therein, or a combination thereof. Withsoftware, the implementation may be through modules (e.g., procedures,functions, etc.) that performs the functions described therein. Thesoftware codes may be stored in memory units and executed by processor A280 and processor B 340.

The various illustrative flow diagrams, logical blocks, modules, and/orcircuits described herein may be implemented or performed with one ormore processor units (a.k.a. processor). A processor may be a generalpurpose processor, such as a microprocessor, a specific applicationprocessor, such a digital signal processor (DSP), or any other hardwareplatform capable of supporting software. Software shall be construedbroadly to mean any combination of instructions, data structures, orprogram code, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware,microcode, or any other terminology. Alternatively, a processor may bean application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logicdevice (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a controller, amicro-controller, a state machine, a combination of discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof. The various illustrative logicalblocks, modules, and/or circuits described herein may also includecomputer readable medium for storing software. The computer readablemedium may also include one or more storage devices, a transmissionline, or a carrier wave that encodes a data signal.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate the timeline overlap of paging blocks andSIB broadcast blocks. When the wireless network 100 pages the wirelesscommunication device 300 (a.k.a. UE), it sets the paging indicator (PI)corresponding to the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) onthe paging indicator channel (PICH). In one aspect, one or more wirelesscommunication devices can be assigned to the same PI. Each wirelesscommunication device monitors only specific frames (a.k.a. pagingoccasions) on the PICH in order to determine the value of its PI. In oneaspect, the system frame number (SFN) of the paging occasion for eachwireless communication device is calculated as:

SFN={(IMSI div K) mod DRX cycle length}+n*DRX cycle length+frame offset  (1)

-   -   where K is the number of S-CCPCH channels in a cell; DRX cycle        length is a configurable parameter set by the wireless network;        IMSI is the International Mobile Subscriber Identity which is a        fixed number assigned by the wireless network to each subscriber        and n=0, 1, 2, . . . as long as SFN is less than maximum (<256).        In one example, K is set to 1.

If the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) determines that itsPI on the PICH is set, the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE)will read the paging channel (PCH) to determine if the incoming page isdestined for itself. PCH is mapped onto a Common Control Channel. In oneaspect, the Common Control Channel is the Secondary Common ControlPhysical Channel (S-CCPCH) in UMTS. In some instances, the transmissionof the paging block overlaps with the broadcast of SIBs that thewireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) needs to read for startingrandom access. The paging block that is broadcasted through theSecondary Common Control Physical Channel (S-CCPCH) typically has higherpriority over the decoding of SIBs (on P-CCPCH). Hence, the wirelesscommunication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) will read the paging block and missthe SIBs. In particular, if the paging block overlaps with SIB7, thewireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) will miss decoding theSIB7. When the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) is beingpaged, it cannot immediately initiate a connection with the wirelessnetwork to respond to the page until it has received the next occurrenceof broadcasted SIB7, resulting in a waiting time between the receipt ofthe page and connection request initiation with the wireless network100. The SIB7 information contains the uplink interference level whichis used in the open loop power control calculation to determine theappropriate transmit power level for random access.

As shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, item 1 is the paging type 1 messageintended for IMSI #N. Item 2 is the BCH data containing the SIB7intended for the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) with IMSI#N. The wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) has to decode SIB7before it can respond to the page. In this example, however, since thepaging block overlaps the SIB7, the wireless communication device 300(a.k.a. UE) would need to wait for the next occurrence of SIB7. Thus, inthis example, the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) willhave the worst MT call setup time.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate an exemplary P-CCPCH and S-CCPCH timelinewith improved SIB7 scheduling. FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show that in additionto the existing broadcasted SIB7 which comes at a constant repetitionrate, the UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) schedulesadditional SIB7 whenever there is an empty slot on the P-CCPCH when noSIBs or MJBs are scheduled. In one aspect, the P-CCPCH will be filledwith additional SIB7s to reduce the waiting time. In one aspect, theimplementation of additional SIB7s does not affect the scheduling of theother SIBs and MIBs.

In another aspect, the uplink interference level is piggy-backed ontoslots scheduled for other SIBs (not SIB7). When the wirelesscommunication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) is being paged, it continuouslymonitors the P-CCPCH to look for SIB7 once a paging type 1 message isreceived. As the uplink interference level is decoded, whether theuplink interference level is embedded in other SIBs, from normalscheduled SIB7 or from additional SIB7s, the wireless communicationdevice 300 (a.k.a. UE) computes the appropriate transmit power level forsending the connection request to the wireless network 100. In oneaspect, for some SIBs, multiple segments may be needed before itscontent is fully decodable. One skilled in the art would understand thatthere are various known self decoding implementations that may be usedwithout affecting the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In one aspect,the wireless network 100 checks the paging occasions of the wirelesscommunication device 300 (a.k.a. UE) against SIB7 broadcasts forpossible collisions. Here, paging information is provided to the RadioNetwork Controller (RNC) which processes the checking of the pagingoccasions. In one aspect, notifications of the additional SIB7s are sentto all the identified locations/routing area of the access point 200(a.k.a. base station).

In one example, the paging type 1 message is intended for IMS1 #N. Thewireless network 100 piggy-backs the uplink interference level (i.e.,SIB7 information) onto currently scheduled SIBs. In another aspect, thewireless network 100 transmits additional SIB7 in the empty slots whereno SIBs or MJBs are scheduled. In yet another aspect, the wirelessnetwork transmits additional SIB7 information in the empty slots andpiggy-backs the SIB7 onto currently scheduled SIBs. Effectively, thisincreases the SIB7 repetition factor and reduces the waiting time.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary intercommunication between thewireless network 100 and the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a.UE). In block 410, the wireless network 100 sends a paging type 1message to IMSI #N. In block 420, the wireless network sends the uplinkinterference level earlier and/or more frequently than the scheduledSIB7. This earlier or more frequent scheduling of SIB7 is achieved bytransmitting additional SIB7 in the empty slots, piggy-backing the SIB7information onto currently scheduled SIBs, or both. In one aspect, thewireless network 100 determines the empty slot(s) on a Common ControlChannel where no SIBs or MJBs are scheduled. The Common Control Channelis the P-CCPCH in one example.

In block 430, the wireless communication device 300 receives the SIB7 orother SIB blocks to decode and obtain the uplink interference level. Forexample, after receiving a SIB7 block in a position different than thescheduled position, the wireless communication device 300 continues toprocess (i.e., decode) the SIB7 or other SIB blocks. In another example,after receiving a SIB7 block even if the scheduled position is notavailable or not yet received, the wireless communication device 300continues to process the SIB7 or other SIB blocks. In one aspect, theprocessing may include storing the content of the SIB7 block or otherSIB blocks, starting an expiration timer with a predefined value andconsidering the content valid until the expiration timer expires. Oneskilled in the art would understand that the predefined value may bebased on system parameters or operator choice, etc., without affectingthe scope and spirit of the disclosure.

In one aspect, decoding and managing of the information from SIB7 orother SIBs is the task of the Radio Resource Controller (RRC). In oneaspect, the RRC is part of the wireless communication device 300 (a.k.a.UE). The RRC reads the SIB information, collects and reassembles SIBsand decodes the information contained therein. In block 440, thewireless communication device 300 responds to the page by sending theRRC connection request message to the wireless network 100 after it hasthe uplink interference level. The SIB7 scheduling as disclosed hereinallows for advantageous results which may include reducing MT call setuptime, reducing waiting time for the next occurrence of SIB7, increasingcall success rate performance, and hence, ensuring better userexperience. Additionally, bandwidth efficiency is increased sincepreviously unused bandwidth on the P-CCPCH channel is being used. In oneexample, the implementation of reducing call setup time is achievedthrough device 500 which comprises a processor 510 in communication witha memory 520 as shown in FIG. 5. In one aspect, the memory 520 islocated within the processor 510. In another aspect, the memory 520 isexternal to the processor 510.

One skilled in the art would understand that in one aspect, thedisclosure relates to Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) mode in which theuplink interference level is contained in SIB7 blocks. Additionally, oneskilled in the art would understand that in Time Division Duplex (TDD)mode, uplink interference level is contained in SIB14 blocks and thatthe disclosure herein referencing SIB7 blocks could be substituted withSIB14 blocks without affecting the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a set 600 of exemplary stepsexecuted by the implementation (device 500) shown in FIG. 5. Block 610shows the step of paging a device (for example, device 500 in FIG. 5) ona Common Control Channel. In one aspect, the Common Control Channel inthis step is S-CCPCH. Block 620 shows the step of piggy-backing anuplink interference level onto a SIB block. Block 630 shows the step ofdetermining at least one empty slot on a Common Control Channel. In oneaspect, the Common Control Channel in this step is P-CCPCH. Block 640shows the step of scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block in one ofthe empty slots. Block 650 shows the step of decoding a SIB7 or SIB14block to obtain an uplink interference level. Block 660 shows the stepof using the uplink interference level in an open loop power controlcalculation to determine an appropriate transmit power level. Oneskilled in the art would understand that not all the steps presented inFIG. 6 need to be used or that other steps can be combined with thesteps presented in FIG. 6 without affecting the scope or spirit of thedisclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a first embodiment of a device 700 suitable for reducingcall setup time. In one aspect, the device 700 is implemented by atleast one processor comprising one or more modules configured to providedifferent aspects of reducing call setup time as described herein inblocks 710 and 720. For example, each module comprises hardware,software, or any combination thereof. In one aspect, the device 700 isalso implemented by at least one memory in communication with the atleast one processor.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of a device 800 suitable for reducingcall setup time. In one aspect, the device 800 is implemented by atleast one processor comprising one or more modules configured to providedifferent aspects of reducing call setup time as described herein inblocks 810 and 820. For example, each module comprises hardware,software, or any combination thereof. In one aspect, the device 800 isalso implemented by at least one memory in communication with the atleast one processor.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of a device 900 suitable for reducingcall setup time. In one aspect, the device 900 is implemented by atleast one processor comprising one or more modules configured to providedifferent aspects of reducing call setup time as described herein inblocks 910, 920, 930, 940, 950 and 960. For example, each modulecomprises hardware, software, or any combination thereof. In one aspect,the device 900 is also implemented by at least one memory incommunication with the at least one processor.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other aspects without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe disclosure.

1. A method for reducing call setup time of a wireless communicationdevice comprising: determining at least one empty slot on a first CommonControl Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled therein;and scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block in the at least oneempty slot to reduce call setup time.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinthe first Common Control Channel is a P-CCPCH.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein the wireless communication device is part of a 3G system.
 4. Themethod of claim 3 wherein the wireless communication device is part of aUMTS.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising paging the wirelesscommunication device on a second Common Control Channel prior todetermining the at least one empty slot.
 6. The method of claim 5wherein the second Common Control Channel is an S-CCPCH.
 7. The methodof claim 5 wherein the paging is sent by a wireless network.
 8. Themethod of claim 7 wherein the wireless network is a 3G system.
 9. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the 3G system is UMTS.
 10. The method of claim1 further comprising decoding one of the at least one SIB7 or SIB14block to obtain an uplink interference level.
 11. The method of claim 10wherein the decoding step includes storing the content of the one SIB7or SIB14 block, starting an expiration timer and considering the contentof the one SIB7 or SIB14 block valid until the expiration timer expires.12. The method of claim 10 wherein the uplink interference level is usedin an open loop power control calculation to determine an appropriatetransmit power level for the wireless communication device.
 13. A methodfor reducing call setup time of a wireless communication devicecomprising: paging the wireless communication device on a first CommonControl Channel; determining at least one empty slot on a second CommonControl Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduledfollowing the paging; scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block in theat least one empty slot to reduce call setup time; decoding one of theat least one SIB7 or SIB14 block to obtain an uplink interference level;and using the uplink interference level in an open loop power controlcalculation to determine an appropriate transmit power level for thewireless communication device.
 14. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising the wireless communication device responding to the pagingand sending a connection request message.
 15. The method of claim 14wherein the paging step, the determining step and the scheduling stepare performed by a wireless network.
 16. The method of claim 15 whereinthe wireless network is a 3G system.
 17. The method of claim 16 whereinthe 3G system is UMTS.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the firstCommon Control Channel is an S-CCPCH and the second Common ControlChannel is a P-CCPCH.
 19. The method of claim 18 where the decoding stepincludes storing the content of the one SIB7 or SIB14 block, starting anexpiration timer and considering the content of the one SIB7 or SIB14block valid until the expiration timer expires.
 20. A method forreducing call setup time of a wireless communication device comprising:paging the wireless communication device on a first Common ControlChannel; and piggy-backing an uplink interference level onto a SIB blockto increase the frequency of sending the uplink interference level tothe wireless communication device.
 21. The method of claim 20 whereinthe SIB block is broadcast on a second Common Control Channel that isdifferent from the first Common Control Channel.
 22. The method of claim21 wherein the first Common Control Channel is an S-CCPCH and the secondCommon Control Channel is a P-CCPCH.
 23. The method of claim 21 furthercomprising determining at least one empty slot on the second CommonControl Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled therein;and scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block containing the uplinkinterference level in the at least one empty slot to send to thewireless communication device.
 24. The method of claim 20 furthercomprising decoding the SIB block to obtain the uplink interferencelevel.
 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising using the uplinkinterference level in an open loop power control calculation todetermine an appropriate transmit power level for the wirelesscommunication device.
 26. The method of claim 24 where the decoding stepincludes storing the content of the SIB block, starting an expirationtimer and considering the content of the SIB valid until the expirationtimer expires.
 27. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, thememory containing program code executable by the processor forperforming the following: determining at least one empty slot on a firstCommon Control Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduledtherein; and scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block in the at leastone empty slot to reduce call setup time.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27wherein the memory further comprising program code for paging a deviceon a second Common Control Channel prior to determining the at least oneempty slot.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the first CommonControl Channel is a P-CCPCH and the second Common Control Channel is anS-CCPCH.
 30. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, thememory containing program code executable by the processor forperforming the following: paging a device on a first Common ControlChannel; and piggy-backing an uplink interference level onto a SIB blockto increase the frequency of sending the uplink interference level tothe device.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the memory furthercomprising program code for determining at least one empty slot on asecond Common Control Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks arescheduled therein, and for scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 blockcontaining the uplink interference level in the at least one empty slotto send to the device.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the firstCommon Control Channel is an S-CCPCH and the second Common ControlChannel is a P-CCPCH.
 33. An apparatus for reducing call setup timecomprising: means for determining at least one empty slot on a firstCommon Control Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduledtherein; and means for scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block inthe at least one empty slot to reduce call setup time.
 34. The apparatusof claim 33 further comprising means for paging a device on a secondCommon Control Channel prior to determining the at least one empty slot.35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the first Common Control Channelis a P-CCPCH and the second Common Control Channel is an S-CCPCH.
 36. Anapparatus for reducing call setup time comprising: means for paging adevice on a first Common Control Channel; and means for piggy-backing anuplink interference level onto a SIB block to increase the frequency ofsending the uplink interference level to the device.
 37. The apparatusof claim 36 further comprising: means for determining at least one emptyslot on a second Common Control Channel where no SIB blocks or MIBblocks are scheduled therein; and means for scheduling at least one SIB7or SIB14 block containing the uplink interference level in the at leastone empty slot to send to the device.
 38. The apparatus of claim 37wherein the first Common Control Channel is an S-CCPCH and the secondCommon Control Channel is a P-CCPCH.
 39. A computer-readable mediumincluding program code stored thereon, comprising: program code forcausing a computer to determine at least one empty slot on a firstCommon Control Channel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduledtherein; and program code for causing the computer to schedule at leastone SIB7 or SIB14 block in the at least one empty slot to reduce callsetup time.
 40. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 furthercomprising program code for causing the computer to page a device on asecond Common Control Channel prior to causing the computer to determinethe at least one empty slot.
 41. The computer-readable medium of claim40 wherein the first Common Control Channel is a P-CCPCH and the secondCommon Control Channel is an S-CCPCH.
 42. A computer-readable mediumincluding program code stored thereon, comprising: program code forcausing a computer to page a device on a first Common Control Channel;and program code for causing the computer to piggy-back an uplinkinterference level onto a SIB block to increase the frequency of sendingthe uplink interference level to the device.
 43. The computer-readablemedium of claim 42 further comprising: program code for causing thecomputer to determine at least one empty slot on a second Common ControlChannel where no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled therein; andprogram code for causing the computer to schedule at least one SIB7 orSIB14 block containing the uplink interference level in the at least oneempty slot to send to the device.
 44. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 43 wherein the first Common Control Channel is an S-CCPCH and thesecond Common Control Channel is a P-CCPCH.
 45. A computer-readablemedium including program code stored thereon, which when executed by atleast one computer implement a method, comprising: program code forpaging a device on a first Common Control Channel; program code fordetermining at least one empty slot on a second Common Control Channelwhere no SIB blocks or MIB blocks are scheduled following the paging;program code for scheduling at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block in the atleast one empty slot to reduce call setup time; program code fordecoding one of the at least one SIB7 or SIB14 block to obtain an uplinkinterference level; and program code for using the uplink interferencelevel in an open loop power control calculation to determine anappropriate transmit power level for the device.
 46. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 45 wherein the first Common ControlChannel is an S-CCPCH and the second Common Control Channel is aP-CCPCH.